Saddle Bag Locks

I finally added locks to the saddle bags this past weekend.  One of the concerns we all have is when leaving our bike at the store, restaurant, Mall , or the beach is other people stealing our stuff.  I don't keep  valuables in the bags, but tools cost money and losing them would be a major pain in the tush.  The stock bags from Suzuki have thumb locks.  I did a lot of research on line and found a post on the Suzuki Volusia Forum http://www.volusiariders.com/47-custom-mods/217728-saddlebag-locks-my-c50t.html  The mod looked fairly easy so I gave it a try.

It took about an hour to do both sides and I am really happy with the results.  The part is a Harley Davidson part.  http://www.surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo.asp?PartNumber=90300017  I bought it from this retailer too.

I have had them in my garage for about 4 months and finally found the time to put them on the bike.

What you need to do this quickly:

Dremel tool  Always wanted to get one and this was a good reason to do it!
Drill with 5/8 bit.
Small crescent wrench
Phillips head and flat screwdriver.
Needle nose pliers.
Exacto knife.

The process.  Remove the bezel from the bag lid.  This is simple, just open the tabs on the inside.  Pop it off with a screwdriver.  Put the lock on the center of the hole and mark the top and bottom.  You will need to grind the hole to a round shape.  Yea! Dremel action!  I goes with out saying but wear some eye protection you will be grinding in close.

Next grind off the Thumb lock rivets on the inside of the bag. Make sure you remove everything from the bag this is a dusty operation.  Once the thumb lock is off you need to make the hole for the lock base.  This is where you drill the larger hole into the bag.  Use the grinder to make the edges round and smooth.  You will need to drill the small holes for the lock screws.
Once installed you have the option to lock or not.  And while this is not Fort Knox security,  I have a little peace of mind when leaving the bike in some strange parking lot.  It is an easy mod.  Take your time and you can get similar results.

Flip up the tabs to remove the bezel

The original thumb lock

Bezel removed.  Put the lock in to mark the top and bottom to make the hole round.  You will also need to drill holes on the side to insert the face plate.

The ground down rivet 

During the grinding process I used pliers to pop this off.

Placed the face plate into the lock to measure where to make the hole round.  Also the holes on the left and right of the new bezel.

Checking fit of the lock.

Installed with Bezel

You need to drill this hole into the saddle bag.  use the dremel to grind the hole round and drill the holes on the side.

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Inside of the bag.  I will get some thing to cover these screws. I tried tape but  it fell off.  I do not want to cut them but just might.